Quote by Robert Southey
It is not for man to rest in absolute contentment. He is born to hopes and aspirations as the sparks fly upward, unless he has brutalized his nature and quenched the spirit of immortality which is his portion.
Summary
This quote suggests that humans are not meant to be completely satisfied or content with their current state. Instead, they are naturally inclined to have hopes and aspirations, always striving for more or better. The comparison to sparks flying upward implies that this desire for progress and growth is intrinsic to our nature. However, the quote also warns that if an individual suppresses these aspirations and stifles their potential for personal growth, they are denying their own immortality and the potential for greatness that exists within them.